U.S. patent application number 16/958274 was filed with the patent office on 2020-11-05 for lens case and lens delivery system.
The applicant listed for this patent is MEDICONTUR MEDICAL ENGINEERING LIMITED. Invention is credited to Peter HANGYA, Laszlo KONTUR.
Application Number | 20200345482 16/958274 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005000953 |
Filed Date | 2020-11-05 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200345482 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HANGYA; Peter ; et
al. |
November 5, 2020 |
LENS CASE AND LENS DELIVERY SYSTEM
Abstract
The invention relates to a lens case (50, 150) for accommodating
an intraocular lens, IOL (1). The lens case (50, 150) comprises a
lens case body (3, 103) and a sliding element (4, 104) which can
slide on the lens case body from a first position to a second
position. The lens case body (3, 103) comprises a longitudinal
recess (32, 132), having a first part (32a, 132a) and a second part
(32b, 132b), the first part (32a, 132a) being adapted to receive a
side zone of the IOL (1) comprising at least one haptic (2), the
second part (32b, 132b) being adapted to receive a narrower central
zone of the IOL (1). The sliding element (4, 104) comprises a bolt
(5, 105a) arranged adjacent a loading port (34, 134) of the second
part (32b, 132b) of the recess (32, 132) for displacing the IOL (1)
within the recess (32, 132).
Inventors: |
HANGYA; Peter; (Bicske,
HU) ; KONTUR; Laszlo; (Budapest, HU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MEDICONTUR MEDICAL ENGINEERING LIMITED |
Zsambek |
|
HU |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005000953 |
Appl. No.: |
16/958274 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
December 28, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/HU2018/050055 |
371 Date: |
June 26, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2/1678 20130101;
A61F 2/1691 20130101; A61F 2250/0037 20130101; A61F 2002/1689
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61F 2/16 20060101
A61F002/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 28, 2017 |
HU |
PCT/HU2017/000054 |
Claims
1. A lens case accommodating an intraocular lens, IOL, (1) having
an optical part (1a) and at least two haptics (2) distributed
around the optical part (1a), the IOL (1) comprising a central zone
(CZ) having a first width (18') and two side zones (SZ) each
comprising at least one haptic (2) and having a second width (17')
greater than the first width (18'), the lens case (50, 150) having
a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising a lens case body (3, 103)
and a sliding element (4, 104), a sliding connection being provided
there between for sliding the sliding element (4, 104) on the lens
case body (3, 103) along the longitudinal axis (X) from a first
position to a second position; the lens case body (3, 103)
comprising a longitudinal recess (32, 132), having a first part
(32a, 132a) and a second part (32b, 132b), the first part (32a,
132a) having a third width (17) greater than the second width
(17'), the second part (32b, 132b) terminating in a loading port
(34, 134) and having a fourth width (18) being greater than the
first width (18') but smaller than the second width (17'); in the
first position of the sliding element (4, 104) the IOL (1) being
arranged in the recess (32, 132) such that the central zone (CZ) is
received in the second part (32b, 132b), a first one of the side
zones (SZ) is received in the first part (32a, 132a) and a second
one of the side zones (SZ) extends from the recess (32, 132)
through the loading port (33); the sliding element comprising a
bolt (5, 105a) arranged adjacent the loading port (34, 134) for
displacing the IOL (1) within the recess (32, 132) along the
longitudinal axis (X).
2. The lens case according to claim 1, wherein, a second bolt
(105b) is provided on the sliding element (104), which extends into
the first part (132a) of the recess.
3. The lens case according to claim 1, wherein, the lens case body
(103) comprises an upper portion (103a) and a lower portion (103b)
affixed to each other and the recess (132) is provided between the
upper portion (103a) and the lower portion (103b).
4. The lens case according to claim 3, wherein, the sliding element
(104) is provided with a cantilever hook (144) and the lower
portion (103b) of the lens case body (103) is provided with first
and second stoppers (118A, 118B) for receiving the hook (144) in
the first and second position of the sliding element (104),
respectively.
5. The lens case according to claim 1, wherein, the sliding element
(4) comprises a cover surface defining an inner space (25) together
with the recess (32).
6. The lens case according to claim 5, wherein the lens case body
(3) is provided with a lower portion (9) accommodating a rail (6)
of a container (7), grooves (10) at its sides and, an upper portion
(11) accommodating the IOL (1) in the inner space (25).
7. The lens case according to claim 1, wherein the sliding
connection comprises rails (12) on the sliding element (4) and the
lens case body (3) comprises corresponding grooves (10).
8. The lens case according to claim 1, wherein the sliding element
is a sliding cap (4) and the bolt (5) is provided with a lower
portion (13), removably fitted into an opening (14) of the sliding
cap (4) and extending to a proximity of a bottom of the recess (32)
of the lens case.
9. The lens case according to claim 8, wherein a first stopper
(18A) on the groove (10) of the lens case body (3) provides an
anchor for the first position of the sliding cap (4), and a second
stopper (18B) on the groove (10) of the lens case body (3) provides
another anchor for the second position of the sliding cap (4).
10. The lens case according to claim 8, wherein a lower portion
(13) of the bolt (5) is provided with a protrusion (19), the width
of which is wider than the width of the opening (14) in the sliding
cap (4).
11. The lens case according to claim 5, wherein an edge (26) of the
sliding cap (4) abuts a collar (27) of the lens case body (3) in
the second position of the sliding cap (4).
12. A lens delivery system comprising a lens case (50, 150)
according to claim 1 and a container (7, 107) for receiving the
lens case (50, 150) therein.
13. The lens delivery system according to claim 12 wherein the
sliding element (104) of the lens case (150) comprises sidewardly
projecting resilient winglets (143) and a wall (172) of the
container (107) is provided with recesses (171) for receiving and
retaining the winglets (143) therein in the first position of the
sliding element (104), the recesses (171) being dimensioned to
release the winglets (143) in the second position of the sliding
element (104).
14. The lens delivery system according to claim 13, wherein the
sliding element (104) is provided with a cantilever hook (144) and
the lens case body (103) is provided with first and second openings
(118A, 118B) for receiving the hook (144) in the first and second
position of the sliding element (104), respectively.
15. The lens delivery system according to claim 12, further
comprising an injector having a cartridge (180) and a lens case
receiving part (162) provided with a first protrusion (164A) and a
second protrusion (164B) fitting into the first and second openings
(118A, 118B), the cartridge (180) having a lens receiving channel
(181) a fifth width thereof corresponding to the fourth width (18)
of the second part (132b) of the recess (132) of the lens case body
(103) and being level with the recess (132) when the lens case
(150) is received in the lens case receiving part (162) of the
injector (170), a second sliding connection being provided between
the cartridge (180) and the sliding element (104) for sliding the
sliding element (104) from the lens case body (103) over the
cartridge (180) to an end position in which the sliding element
(104) is removable from the cartridge (180).
16. The lens delivery system according to claim 12 wherein the
container (7) is provided with a pair of rails (6), a lower portion
(9) of the lens case body (3) being provided with corresponding
grooves for receiving the rails (6), the rails (6) terminating in
resilient bumpers (21) for retaining the lens case body (3) in the
first position of the sliding element (4) but releasing the sliding
element (4) upon a pulling force.
17. A lens case having a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising a
lens case body (3) and a sliding element, the lens case body (3)
and the sliding element being provided with first and second guides
(10, 12), respectively, for sliding the sliding element on the lens
case body (3) along the longitudinal axis (X) from a first position
to a second position; the lens case body (3) comprising a
longitudinal recess (32), having a first part (32a) and a second
part (32b), the second part (32b) having a second width (18)
greater than 4 mm and smaller than 8 mm, more preferably greater
than 6 mm and smaller than 7 mm, the second part (32b)
communicating with a loading port (34), the first part (32a) having
a first width (17) greater than said second width (18); the sliding
element comprising a bolt (5, 105) arranged adjacent the loading
port (33), the bolt being outside of the recess (32) in the first
position of the sliding element and extending into the second part
(32b) of the recess (32) in the second position of the sliding
element.
18. The lens case according to claim 1, further comprising an
intraocular lens, IOL, (1) having an optical part (1a) and at least
two haptics (2) distributed around the optical part (1a), the IOL
(1) consisting of a central zone (CZ) having a third width (18')
and two side zones (SZ)each comprising at least one haptic (2) and
having a fourth width (17') greater than the third width (18'), the
first width (17) of the first part (32a) of the recess (32) being
greater than the fourth width (17') and the second width (18) of
the second part (32b) of the recess (32) being greater than the
third width (18') but smaller than the fourth width (17'), and in
the first position of the sliding element the central zone (CZ)
being arranged in the second part (32b) of the recess (32) such
that a first one of the side zones (SZ) is received by the first
part (32a) of the recess (32) and a second one of the side zones
(SZ) extends from the recess (32) through the loading port (34).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a lens case for storing an
intraocular lens (IOL) and loading the IOL to an injector before
injecting the IOL into a patient eye. The invention also relates to
a lens delivery system comprising such a lens case.
BACKGROUND
[0002] IOLs may be implanted in the eye of a patient to replace the
natural crystalline lens or to otherwise modify the vision of an
eye containing either the natural lens or another IOL. IOLs
commonly include an optic and one or more flexible fixation
members, called haptics extending from the optic to secure and
center the optic within the eye. When the IOL replaces the natural
lens, the natural lens must first be removed. The IOL is then
generally implanted using an insertion apparatus or device is that
rolls, folds, or otherwise configures the lens for delivery through
a small incision in the eye--usually called IOL injector--in a way
that reduces trauma and expedites post-surgery healing.
[0003] The most advanced IOL injector systems for delivering IOLs
into the eye are the so-called preloaded IOL/injector systems in
which the IOL is preloaded (packed, sterilized and delivered) in
the injector to the user. Using these preloaded systems the user
does not have to touch the lens before surgery.
[0004] Patent specifications U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,854 and
WO2007080869 both describe such a preloaded IOL/injector
system.
[0005] All these preloaded IOL/injector systems have in common that
they store the IOL in an unfolded (relaxed) state and by activating
the injection/folding mechanism during usage the lens is folded
and/or compressed and pushed through a small injection cartridge
nozzle into the eye. Preloaded IOL injector systems usually contain
IOLs with haptics (fixation members) adapted to the needs of these
injection systems. Usually the IOL optic diameter defines the width
of the storage space and starting width of the injection channel
within the IOL injector. The dimensions and positions of these
haptics in relaxed (unfolded) state are fitting into the width of
the designed injection channel, usually around 6 mm. This means
these IOLs have usually one or two haptics at the front and one or
two haptics at the back of the lens, longitudinally to the folding
and injection axis.
[0006] Patent specifications WO2007027499 and WO2007078602 describe
injector systems for hydrophilic IOLs, enabling the user to load
the IOL into the injector system without touching the IOL. Both
systems can load only IOLs with haptic designs not is wider than
the IOL optic diameter.
[0007] However, the eye structure is circular. Therefore it is
clear that a set of haptics of an IOL positioned at the 2 ends of
the IOL, creating an IOL whose contact points are not distributed
equally around a circle, is not an ideal solution for the anatomy
of the eye. The ideal haptics should be evenly distributed around
the circle, for example in case of 4 haptics at a distance of 90
degrees to each other. However, such haptic endings widely spread
over the width defined by the optic diameter of the IOL. Therefore
circularly designed haptics pose a problem in case of preloaded
IOLs because an adequate pre-bending and pre-positioning of the
haptics has to be accomplished before the optic body of the IOL can
be folded or compressed.
[0008] Consequently it would be advantageous to provide a lens case
and a method which facilitate the adequate pre-bending and
pre-positioning of the haptics of the IOL before the compressive
impact or folding mechanism of the injector system sets in.
SUMMARY
[0009] In accordance with the above objectives the present
invention relates to a lens case according to claims 1 and 17 and a
lens delivery system according to claim 12.
[0010] We realized that safe pre-bending and pre-positioning of the
haptics of a foldable intraocular lens (IOL) with a haptics design
wider than the IOL optic diameter can be carried out in the lens
case itself before the loading of the IOL with unfolded optic into
the injector cartridge by applying a sliding element on the lens
case that can hold, move and release the IOL within the lens case
parallel to the injection axis of the injector system. This sliding
element and the method of holding, moving and releasing the IOL can
be realized in different ways, in the following we will demonstrate
a sliding cap and a bolt which can move the IOL from a first
position with relaxed, undistorted haptics into a second position
with pre-bent, i.e. pre-distorted haptics within the inner space of
the lens case. This movement of the IOL within the lens case is a
movement in the counter direction of the direction that the is lens
will go during injection. This means the haptics are pre-bent (i.e.
pre-distorted) on the inner walls of the lens case by retraction of
the IOL against the direction which the IOL and its haptics have to
take on their way of the injection path.
[0011] We also realized that the safe pre-bending and
pre-positioning of the haptics of a foldable intraocular lens (IOL)
can be carried out automatically in a lens case stored in a
container/vial simply during removal of said lens case from the
container/vial.
[0012] The object of the invention is therefore a lens case for
IOLs in which the lens case comprises a lens case body, a sliding
element that can hold, move and release the IOL. At least a part of
the inner space of the lens case is narrower than the width of the
IOL with haptics but larger than the optic diameter of the IOL in a
relaxed state. The sliding element can slide on the lens case
body.
[0013] In an advantageous embodiment the lens case can be placed on
a rail in a container/vial, so that by removing the lens case from
the container/vial the movement of the IOL from the first to the
second position in the lens case is accomplished automatically. In
this embodiment the lens case body is provided with a lower portion
accommodating a rail of a container/vial, grooves at its sides and,
an upper portion accommodating the IOL in an inner space. The
sliding cap is also provided with rails fitting into the grooves of
the lens case body. The bolt has a lower portion fitting into an
opening of the sliding cap. The inner space comprises a first part
and a second part. The width of the first part is equal to the
width of the IOL with the relaxed, i.e. undistorted haptics and the
width of the second part is smaller than the width of the first
part.
[0014] In other embodiments the lens case can be fixed in an etui
or other type of container, dry or wet, for example by a rail.
[0015] This construction provides a safe pre-positioning of the IOL
and pre-bending of its haptics before loading it into the injector
cartridge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] For a more complete understanding of the invention,
reference is made to the following detailed description of an
embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a lens case according to
the invention in disassembled state with a container;
[0018] FIG. 1A-1C show exemplary intraocular lenses which can be
placed into the lens case;
[0019] FIG. 2 shows the lens case in assembled state with a
container;
[0020] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C show the three phases of the sliding cap
with the bolt on the lens case body moving from a first position to
a second position;
[0021] FIGS. 4A, 4B show the pre-bending, i.e. pre-distortion
phases of the haptics of the IOL while the sliding cap with the
bolt is moving from the first position to the second position
thereof, moving the IOL against the direction of injection;
[0022] FIG. 5 shows the lens case before removing it from a
container;
[0023] FIGS. 6A and 6B show the moving of the lens case against the
bumpers of the rail of the container;
[0024] FIG. 7 shows the lens case with the pre-bent, i.e.
pre-distorted IOL after removal from the container;
[0025] FIGS. 8A, 8B show the mounting of the lens case on an
injector;
[0026] FIG. 9 shows the removal of the bolt from the lens case;
[0027] FIG. 10 shows the injection of visco-elastic material into
the lens case through the opening of the sliding cap.
[0028] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment
of a lens case and is container according to the invention.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the assembled second
embodiment of the lens case.
[0030] FIG. 13A is a cutaway perspective bottom view of the second
embodiment of the lens case in its first position with an
uncompressed IOL arranged therein.
[0031] FIG. 13.1A is a sectional view of the second embodiment of
the lens case taken along cutting plane A-A indicated in FIG.
13A.
[0032] FIG. 13B is a cutaway perspective bottom view of the second
embodiment of the lens case in its first position with an
uncompressed IOL arranged therein.
[0033] FIG. 13.1B is a sectional view of the second embodiment of
the lens case taken along cutting plane B-B indicated in FIG.
13B.
[0034] FIG. 14A is a cutaway view of the container with the second
embodiment of the lens case arranged therein in its first
position.
[0035] FIG. 14.1A is an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 14A.
[0036] FIG. 14B is a cutaway view of the container with the second
embodiment of the lens case arranged therein in its second
position.
[0037] FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate the mounting of the second
embodiment of the lens case on an injector.
[0038] FIG. 15C shows the injection of visco-elastic material into
the second embodiment of the lens case through an opening of a
sliding element.
[0039] FIG. 16A shows the sliding of the sliding element over a
cartridge of the injector.
[0040] FIG. 16B illustrates the removal of the sliding element from
the injector.
[0041] FIGS. 17A-17B illustrate the folding of the IOL by closing
the winglets of the injector's cartridge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] In the following, for purpose of explanation and not
limitation, specific details of a lens case for IOLs are set forth,
in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the
present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart
from these specific details.
[0043] In our description we continue to present an embodiment with
the lens case fixed in a container on a rail.
[0044] FIG. 1 shows a lens case 50 in disassembled state for
storing an intraocular lens (IOL) 1 comprising an optical part 1a
and four haptics 2 distributed around the optical part 1a. The IOL
1 is illustrated separately in FIG. 1A. The lens case 50 according
to the present invention is designed to pre-fold (pre-distort) the
haptics 2 of IOLs 1 consisting of a central zone CZ substantially
free of any haptics 2 and two side zones SZ on each side of the
central zone CZ, each side zone SZ comprising at least one haptic
2, in the present case two haptics 2, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. A
width 17' of each side zone SZ with relaxed haptics 2 is greater
than a width 18' of the central zone CZ, which corresponds
practically to the width of the optical part 1a. Further IOLs 1
with such configuration are illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1C. Such
IOLs have a shape that does not allow the uncompressed IOL 1 to
pass through an opening with a width corresponding to the width of
the optical part 1a. This makes the operation of loading such an
IOL 1 into an injector and subsequently injecting it in an eye very
difficult as the haptics 2 extending beyond the width of the
optical part 1a can get jammed easily.
[0045] The lens case 50 comprises a lens case body 3 having a
longitudinal axis X, a sliding element in the form of a sliding cap
4, which is provided with a bolt 5. The lens case body 3 is
provided with a lower portion 9 accommodating a rail 6 of a
container 7, and longitudinal grooves 10 at its sides being
parallel with the longitudinal axis X, and an upper portion 11
accommodating the IOL 1 within a longitudinal recess 32. The
sliding cap 4 is provided with rails 12 received by the grooves 10
of the lens case body 3. The bolt 5 is provided with a lower
portion 13 fitting in an opening 14 of the sliding cap 4. The
sliding cap 4 is provided with grips 22 at both sides for a better
clutch with fingers. The rail 6 of the container 7 has two
resilient bumpers 21 at the end thereof for fixing the lens case 50
in the container 7.
[0046] The lens case body 3 comprises a first end 33 provided with
a loading port 34 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The
longitudinal recess 32 has a first part 32a and a second part 32b
provided along the longitudinal axis X. The second part 32b of the
recess 32 terminates in the loading port 34, whereby the second
part 32b of the recess 32 is accessible from the first end 33 of
the lens case body 3 through the loading port 34. As can be seen in
FIG. 3A the first part 32a has a first width 17 being greater than
a width of the IOL 1 with relaxed haptics 2, and the second part
32b has a second width 18 being narrower than the width of the IOL
1 with relaxed haptics 2 but larger than a width of the optical
part 1a of the IOL 1 in a relaxed state. Since the optical part 1a
of most IOLs 1 are between 4 to 8 mm, generally between 6 to 7 mm,
accordingly the second width 18 is preferably greater than 4 mm and
smaller than 8 mm, more preferably greater than 6 mm and smaller
than 7 mm.
[0047] FIG. 2 shows the lens case 50 in assembled state with the
container 7. The container 7 is shown in a section view to reveal
the lens case 50 with the lens case body 3, the sliding cap 4 and
the bolt 5. The sliding cap 4 is attached to the lens case body 3
and the bolt 5 is inserted in the sliding cap 4 which is
illustrated transparently to make the IOL 1 visible inside the lens
case 50. The bumpers 21 prevent the lens is case 50 to move in the
container 7 unintentionally indicated by the arrow.
[0048] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C show three positions of the sliding cap 4
on the lens case body 3 as the sliding cap 4 is moved from a first
position to a second position. The first position is shown in FIG.
3A while the second position is shown in FIG. 3C. FIG. 3B depicts
an intermediate position between the first position and the second
position. The recess 32 in the upper portion 11 of the lens case
body 3 forms together with the sliding cap 4 an inner space 25
having a first part 15 (corresponding to the first part 32a of the
recess 32) and an second part 16 (corresponding to the second part
32b of the recess 32). The width 17 of the first part 15 of the
inner space 25 (corresponding to the width 17 of the first part 32a
of the recess 32) is equal to or wider than the width of the IOL 1
with the undistorted haptics 2 and the width 18 of the second part
16 of the inner space 25 (corresponding to the width 18 of the
second part 32b of the recess 32) is smaller than the width 17 of
the first part 15. The lower portion 9 of the lens case body 3
comprises flanges 28. There are rails 12 on the sliding cap 4 that
can slide on grooves 10 of the lens case body 3. It is not shown in
FIGS. 3A-3C but the guide 10 of the lens case body 3 and the guide
12 of the sliding cap 4 are provided at both sides of the lens case
body 3 and the sliding cap 4, respectively. The guide 10 of the
lens case body 3 is a groove and the guide 12 of the sliding cap 4
is a rim but in another embodiment the guide 10 of the lens case
body 3 can be a rim and the guide 12 of the sliding cap 4 can be a
groove.
[0049] In order to separate the first position of the sliding cap 4
on the lens case body 3 from the second position thereof, a first
stopper 18A on the guide 10 of the lens case body 3 provides an
anchor for the first position to the sliding cap 4 in which the
bolt 5 in the opening 14 of the sliding cap 4 positioned outside of
the inner space 25 (in FIG. 3A), and a second stopper 18B on the
guide 10 of the lens case body 3 provides another anchor for the
second position to the sliding cap 4 in which the is bolt 5 in the
opening 14 of the sliding cap 4 is positioned within the inner
space 25 (in FIG. 3C). The arrow in FIG. 3B shows the moving
direction of the sliding cap 4. The sliding cap 4 is illustrated
transparently to show the IOL 1 inside the lens case 50.
[0050] FIGS. 4A, 4B show the pre-distortion phases of the haptics 2
of the IOL 1 while the sliding cap 4 is moving from the first
position to the second position. In FIG. 4A, the haptics 2 are in
undistorted state, in FIG. 4B the haptics are in distorted state.
Distortion is made possible by the different widths of the first
and the second parts of the inner space 25.
[0051] A lower portion 13 of the bolt 5 is provided with a
protrusion 19, the width of which is wider than the width of the
opening 14 in the sliding cap 4. The bolt 5 is provided with a leg
20, the bottom of which comes close to the bottom of the inner
space 25 when the bolt 5 is inserted in the opening 14 of the
sliding cap 4. In this way, the bolt 5 can move the IOL 1 in the
inner space 25 when the sliding cap 4 moves on the lens case body
3.
[0052] FIG. 5 shows the lens case 50 before removing it from the
container 7. The container 7 is shown in a sectional view. In this
state, the lens case 50 is in the second position, when the bolt 5
lies within the inner space 25 as discussed in connection with FIG.
3C. The arrow shows the direction to remove the lens case 50 from
the container 7.
[0053] FIGS. 6A and 6B show the moving of the lens case 50 against
the bumpers 21 of the rail of the container 7. The sliding cap 4 is
in the second position and an edge 26 of the sliding cap 4 abuts a
collar 27 of the lens case body 3. By moving the lens case 50
further upwards as shown by the vertical arrow in FIGS. 6A and 6B,
the bumpers 21 are getting closer to each other as illustrated by
the horizontal arrows. At the end, the bumpers 21 are sufficiently
close to each other to release the lens case 50 from the container
7.
[0054] FIG. 7 shows the lens case 50 with the retracted IOL 1 with
pre-bent (distorted) haptics 2 after removal of the lens case 50
from the rail 6 of the container 7. In this embodiment, two haptics
2 of the IOL 1 facing the injection direction are pre-distorted
ready for a safe loading.
[0055] FIGS. 8A, 8B show the mounting of the lens case 50 on an
injector 23. The lens case body 3 is provided with flanges 28 at
its bottom portion fitting to recesses 29 on the injector 23. Arrow
shows the direction of placement. In FIG. 8B, the lens case 50 can
be seen mounted on the injector 23.
[0056] FIG. 9 shows the removal of the bolt 5 from the lens case
50. After removal, the path of the IOL 1 is free in the direction
leading to a cartridge 30 of the injector 23.
[0057] FIG. 10 shows the injection of visco-elastic material into
the lens case 50 through the opening 14 of the sliding cap 4.
Visco-elastic material decreases the friction of the IOL during
loading and injecting.
[0058] The IOL 1, illustrated in the previous figures, comprises
four haptics 2 but the lens case 50 can be adapted to accommodate
IOL 1 with two or more haptics 2 as well.
[0059] The invention also relates to a method of operating a lens
case 50 comprising a lens case body 3 with inner space 25, a
sliding cap 4 and a bolt 5. The method comprises When using the
above described embodiment the following steps are carried out:
[0060] a.) sliding the sliding cap 4 via the bolt 5 along the lens
case body 3 within the container 7 until the sliding cap 4 moves
from the first position to the second position on the lens case
body 3 thereby displacing the IOL 1 from the first part 15 of the
inner space 25 to the second part 16 of the inner space 25 (FIGS.
3A-3C and FIGS. 4A, 4B); in this step the IOL is retracted along
the longitudinal axis X, i.e. moved in counter-direction to the
injection direction of is the IOL, while the haptics 2 of the IOL
facing the injection direction are pre-bent (distorted). [0061] b.)
removing the lens case 50 from the container 7 by pulling it from
the rail 6 of the container 7 against resilient bumpers 21 (FIG. 5,
FIGS. 6A, 6B and FIG. 7); in this step the resilient bumpers 21
come close to each other allowing the lens case 50 to be removed
from the container 7. [0062] c.) mounting the lens case 50 on an
injector 23 (FIGS. 8A, 8B); in this step, the flanges 28 at the
bottom of the lens case body 3 are attached to recesses 29 of the
injector 23. [0063] d.) removing the bolt 5 from the sliding cap 4;
in this step, the path of the IOL 1 is freed to a cartridge 30 of
the injector 23. [0064] e.) injecting visco-elastic material into
the lens case 50 through the opening 14 of the sliding cap 4 (FIG.
10) to decrease the friction of the IOL during loading and
injecting.
[0065] In another embodiment when the lens case 50 is not fixed in
any container or vial the lens case 50 can be operated by manually
moving the sliding cap 4 of the lens case 50 against the lens case
body 3. In such an embodiment the steps of the method are as
follows. [0066] a.) sliding the sliding cap 4 via the bolt 5 along
the lens case body 3 until the sliding cap 4 moves from the first
position to the second position on the lens case body 3 thereby
retracting the IOL 1 along the longitudinal axis X, i.e. moving it
in counter-direction to the injection direction of the IOL, thereby
bending the haptics 2 of the IOL facing the injection direction
from a relaxed state to a distorted state. [0067] b.) mounting the
lens case 50 on an injector 23; [0068] c.) removing the bolt 5 from
the sliding cap 4; [0069] d.) injecting visco-elastic material into
the lens case 50 through the opening 14 in the lens case 50 cap
4.
[0070] A second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in
FIGS. 11 to 17.
[0071] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of a
lens case 150 according to the invention and a cutaway view of a
container 107 for storing the lens case 150. An exemplary IOL 1 is
also depicted for which the same reference numerals are used as in
the case of the first embodiment. The lens case 150 is shown in an
assembled state in FIG. 12.
[0072] The lens case 150 comprises a sliding element 104 and a lens
case body 103. The lens case body 103 has a first end 133 with a
loading port 134 provided therein through which the IOL 1 may be
loaded into an injector. The lens case body 103 has an upper part
103a and a lower part 103b. A snap fit connection is provided
between the upper part 103a and the lower part 103b of the lens
case body 103 which, in the case of the present embodiment, is in
the form of four profiled projections 135 and four correspondingly
shaped recesses 136 provided on the two sides of the upper part
103a and the lower part 103b, respectively. A recess 132 is formed
between the upper part 103a and the lower part 103b of the lens
case body 103 and communicates with the loading port 134 at the
first end 133 of the lens case body 103 (see FIGS. 13A and 13B
where the lower part 103b of the lens case body 103 is indicated
transparently and the bottom portion of the lower part 103b is cut
away in order to show the position of the IOL 1). According to the
present embodiment a first part 132a of the recess 132 is defined
by a top surface of a bottom plate 137 and two side rims 138 of the
lower portion 103b of the lens case body 103 (see FIG. 11) and a
second part 132b of the recess 132 is defined by the bottom plate
137 of the lower portion 103b and two longitudinal protrusions 139
of the upper portion 103a of the lens case body 103 (see FIGS. 13A
and 13B).
[0073] The first width 17 of the first part 132a of the recess 132
is greater than the width 17' is of the side zone SZ of the IOL 1
in order to receive therein one of the side zones SZ. The second
part 132b of the recess 132 communicates with the loading port 134.
The second width 18 of the second part 132b of the recess 132 is
greater than the width 18' of the central zone CZ of the IOL 1 but
smaller than the width 17' of the side zones SZ in order to
accommodate the central zone CZ (which is mainly the optical part
1a) in an uncompressed state. A width of the loading port 134
preferably equals the width of the second part 132b of the recess
132.
[0074] A sliding connection 141 is provided between the lens case
body 103 and the sliding element 104 for sliding the sliding
element on the lens case body 3 along a longitudinal axis X of the
lens case 150 from a first position (indicated in FIG. 13A) to a
second position (indicated in FIG. 13B). The sliding connection 141
is preferably in the form of grooves 110 provided on the lens case
body 103 and rails 112 provide on the sliding element 104. In the
first position of the sliding element 104 the IOL 1 is held within
the recess 132 of the lens case body 103 in a relaxed state such
that the central zone CZ lies within the second part 132b of the
recess 132, a first one of the side zones SZ is received in the
first part 132a and a second one of the side zones SZ extends from
the recess 132 through the loading port 134 as shown in FIG. 13A.
In the second position of the sliding element 104 depicted in FIG.
13B the IOL 1 is displaced such that the side zone SZ previously
extending outside of the loading port 134 is now retracted into the
second part 132b of the recess 132, while most part or all of the
central zone CZ has moved into the first part 132a of the recess
132 along the longitudinal axis X. The sliding element 104
comprises a first first bolt 105a arranged adjacent the loading
port 134 for effecting the displacement of the IOL 1 within the
recess 132 of the lens case body 103. In the first position of the
sliding element 104 the first bolt 105a is outside of the recess
132, preferably abutting the IOL 1 and in the second position of
the sliding element 104 the first bolt 105a extends into the second
part 132b of the recess 132.
[0075] The sliding element 104 is preferably provided with an upper
tab 142 by which a user can grab and push the sliding element 104
in the direction of the arrow illustrated in FIG. 14A when the lens
case 150 is arranged in the container 107. The sliding element is
further provided with two sidewardly projecting resilient winglets
143 adapted to cooperate with two recesses 171 formed in opposing
sides of a wall 172 of the container 107 of which only one is
illustrated in the cutaway view of FIG. 14A. In the first position
of the sliding element 104 the winglets 143 snap into the recesses
171 and an upper rim 173 of the recesses block upward movement of
the winglets 143 as indicated in FIG. 14.1A and thereby retain the
lens case 150 within the container 107. As the tab 142 of the
sliding element 104 is pushed in the direction of the arrow C in
FIG. 14A, the sliding element 104 slides on the lens case body 103
via the sliding connection until it reaches its second position
illustrated in FIG. 14B where the winglets 143 are no longer
underneath the rim 173 of the recess 171, whereby the lens case can
be lifted in the direction of the arrow C as illustrated in FIG.
14B.
[0076] According to the present embodiment first and second
stoppers 118A and 118B are provided on the lower part 103b of the
lens case body 103 in the form of openings for locking the first
and second position of the sliding element 104. The sliding element
104 is provided with a resilient cantilever hook 144 which snaps
into the opening 118A in the first position of the sliding element
104 and snaps into the opening 118B in the second position of the
sliding element 14 as best seen in FIGS. 13.1A and 13.1B,
respectively. The cantilever hook 144 is designed to snap out of
the opening 118A if the sliding element 104 is displaced from the
first position in the direction of the second position as indicated
with arrow C in FIGS. 13A and 13.1A but prevents displacement in
the opposite direction. Consequently, once the sliding element 104
reaches its second position it is no longer possible to return the
sliding element 104 in its first position. The sliding element 104
cannot be advanced any further than the second position as a front
face 145 of the sliding element 104 is abuts a front rim 131 of the
upper portion 103a of the lens case body 103 as best seen in FIG.
14B.
[0077] The lower portion 103b of the lens case body 103 is
preferably provided with two profiled projections 128 for attaching
the lens case 50 to an injector 123. The container 107 is provided
with spacers 174 for spacing the lens case body 103 and thereby the
profiled projections 128 from the bottom of the container 107.
[0078] According to the second embodiment the sliding element 104
is further provided with a second bolt 105b which extends into the
first part 132a of the recess 132 of the lens case body 103 through
a longitudinal central opening 130 of the upper portion 103a. The
first and the second bolt 105a, 105b are spaced from each other
such as to accommodate the IOL 1 there between as best seen in
FIGS. 13A and 13B. The cantilever hook 144 is provided on the
second bolt 105b. The second bolt 105b serves to displace the IOL 1
in the counter-direction of the arrow C illustrated in
[0079] FIG. 13A once the cantilever hook 144 is removed from the
stopper 118A.
[0080] The sliding element 104 is further provided with a funnel
146 having a wider opening 114 at the top face of the sliding
element 104 and terminating in a through hole 147 traversing the
second bolt 105b for injecting visco-elastic material into the
recess 132 of the lens case body 103. FIGS. 15A to 17B illustrate
the loading of the IOL 1 from the lens case 150 into a cartridge
180 of an injector 160.
[0081] The injector 160 is provided with a receiving part 162 for
receiving the lens case 150 as illustrated in FIGS. 15A-15C. The
receiving part 162 has an upper surface 163 with a first and a
second protrusions 164A and 164B fitting into the first and second
openings 118A and 118B, respectively. The first and second
protrusions 164A and 164B have a height ensuring that the top faces
of the first and second protrusions 164A and 164B are level with
the top surface of the bottom plate 137 of the lower portion 103b
of the lens case body 103 when the lens case 150 is placed on the
top surface 162 of the receiving part 160 of the injector 160 and
the first and second is protrusions 164A and 164B project into the
first and second openings 118A and 118B respectively. This has for
effect that the resilient cantilever hook 144 of the sliding
element 104 is forced out of the opening 118B by the second
protrusion 164B, whereby the sliding element 104 can be moved from
its second position in the direction of its first position, which
is the counter-direction of the arrow C depicted in FIGS. 13A and
13.1A. Since the top surface of the second protrusion 164A is level
with the upper surface of the bottom plate 137 the sliding element
can be slid past its first position as the cantilever hook 144 is
prevented by the first protrusion 164A from snapping back into the
first opening 118A.
[0082] The cartridge 180 of the injector 160 has a lens receiving
channel 181 and two winglets 182a and 182b. The lens receiving
channel 181 has a width corresponding to the width 18 of the second
part 132b of the recess 132 of the lens case body 103. The lens
receiving channel 181 is level with the recess 132, whereby the IOL
1 may be slid from the recess 132 into the channel 181 upon pushing
force exerted by the second bolt 105b. The lens receiving channel
181 need not have a planar receiving surface. A second sliding
connection is provided between the cartridge 180 and the sliding
element 104, which is formed by the rails 112 of the sliding
element 112 and a groove 183 in each winglet 181a, 181b. The distal
end of the grooves 183 are formed with a longitudinal exit port 184
a length of which corresponds to a length of the rails 112 of the
sliding element 104. In an end position of the sliding element 104
the rails 112 reach the exit port 184, whereby the rails 112 are
released and the sliding element 104 can be lifted from the
cartridge 180.
[0083] When the lens case 150 is received in the receiving part 162
of the injector 170 the sliding element 104 can be slid from the
receiving part 162 onto the cartridge 180 of the injector 170.
[0084] Before starting to slide the sliding element 104
visco-elastic material is injected into the recess 132 of the lens
case body 103 through the opening 114 as shown in FIG. 15C. The
visco-elastic material helps to reduce friction between the IOL 1
and the bottom plate 137 of the lens case body 103 as the sliding
element 104 is slid from the lens case body 103 to the cartridge
180 (see FIG. 16A) and the IOL 1 is carried along by the second
bolt 105b of the sliding element 104 into the cartridge 180. The
cartridge 180 has an inner width corresponding to the width 18 of
the second recess 132b and the haptics 2 of the IOL 1 pre-folded in
the second recess 132b can easily enter the cartridge 180 through
the loading port 134 of the second recess 132b without being jammed
or distorted in any unintended configuration. Once the IOL 1 has
been loaded into the cartridge 180 the sliding element is removed
therefrom as illustrated in FIG. 16B. The optical part 1a of the
IOL 1 is further folded by closing two winglets 182a and 182b of
the cartridge 180 as depicted in FIGS. 17A and 17B.
[0085] It may be clear from the description above and the
accompanied figures that the lens case 50, 150 according to the
invention can provide a safe pre-distortion for haptics 2 of an IOL
1 and so minimizes the risk of jamming the IOL during loading and
insertion. Additionally, the described embodiment presents some
advantageous details too. For instance, the step of moving the
sliding cap 4 from a first position to a second position and
thereby retracting the IOL, pre-distorting the haptics 2 of the IOL
1, and the step of removing the lens case 50 from the container 7
are practically a single motion. Another advantageous detail is the
function of the opening 14 in the sliding cap 4. On one hand the
opening 14 accommodates the bolt 5, on the other hand it makes an
inlet for injection of visco-elastic material too.
[0086] Although two preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in
the foregoing detailed description, it is understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is
capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and
substitutions for the lens case 50 without departing from the
invention.
* * * * *